Clearwater, FL to Iuka, MS

Total Miles Traveled 2839.2

When arriving at our anchorage at Clearwater Beach, FL on April 7^th, our plan was to stay a day or two then cross the Gulf of Mexico when the weather settled, we ended up staying at Clearwater Beach for 28 days.  Several consecutive cold fronts moved across the Gulf causing wave heights to exceed our safe cruising guidelines……..if it’s not fun, we don’t go.

We had a great time during our stay though; our friends Mike and Jan on “Trust Me” only stayed a couple of nights then continued north anchoring around the panhandle of Florida as weather permitted.   Our friends Randy and Sherri on “Priorities” arrived a few days later and we explored the area with our dingy and were still able to visit the Clearwater Beach Marina and a few stores and restaurants (take out only) during the virus shutdown.

“Priorities”

After several days on the hook, we moved to the Clearwater Beach Marina to pump out our holding tank and pick up a few groceries.  We stayed a week, and then returned to our anchorage.

Frenchy’s is a popular dockside restaurant but during the virus shutdown inside dining was closed.  They placed numbers along the dock where you tie up.  To place an order, you call them and provide the dock number next to your boat.  They take your order and credit card number and a few minutes later, someone arrives with your food and drink.  We visited here several times during our stay…..awesome fresh seafood sandwiches.   

We also had access to a public dock a few miles from our boat, from there we could walk to a Publix grocery store for supplies.

Nice Boat Name

On May 1^st, we weighed anchor and cruised 14 miles to an anchorage near Tarpon Springs, FL.  At sunrise on May 2^nd we started one leg of our crossing to Cedar Key, FL, 73 miles.

At sunrise on May 3^rd, we continued on our second leg of our crossing from Cedar Key to Dog Island, near Carrabelle, FL, 116 miles.

Priorities leaving Cedar Key channel.

Carrabelle Florida is one of our favorite stops; it’s an “old Florida” coastal town with very low fuel prices.  On May 4^th we topped off our fuel tanks at $1.45 a gallon, and then continued on to an Anchorage at Panama City, 91 miles.

During this time of year the chances of spring flooding can delay our travels north, we were held up at Mobile, AL 18 days last year waiting on the river to crest from heavy rain.   Since crossing the Gulf we decided to keep moving with improving river conditions and pass through our first lock at Coffeeville, AL. 

On June 5^th we anchored near Navarre, FL and were treated to an unusual sight.  There is a heavy military presence in the panhandle of Florida and we see all types of aircraft when passing through here.  During this anchorage we happen to be across the bay from a rescue training exercise.  An Osprey is a tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities.  You can see the rescue victim being hoisted to the aircraft.

May 6^th we continued to another of our favorite anchorages, Pirates Cove.  Although the virus has shutdown most of the country, some businesses have made adjustments to remain open.

We stopped at a marina near Orange Beach for a pump out, this cement structure was inside of the face dock.

On May 7^th we decided to make another long day of it and cross Mobile Bay and into the Alabama River.  We anchored at the Tensas River junction, 92.6 miles, and then anchored at Three Rivers junction on May 8^th, then through our first lock at Coffeeville on May 9^th.  River current flows are much less between the locks.  We had very good conditions all the way up.

Mobile Bay, the birds are looking for fish in our wake.  The bay was muddy from the previous flooding along the northern rivers.

After anchoring at Bashi Creek, we arrived at Demopolis, Al on May 10^th and stayed at the marina through the 12^th.  Finally a chance to wash all of the salt off the boat!  We have been traveling with “Priorities” since Clearwater but they decided to keep moving to Columbus, MS where we’ll meet again going north. 

On May 15^th we were anchored near Columbus, MS and met “Priorities” as they were leaving the Columbus Marina.  We passed through the next six locks together and arrived at Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina on May 16^th. 

We’re staying at Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina until June 14^th catching up on oil and filter changes, maintenance, mail, and ordering needed supplies.

Our son Brian and grandkids Britini and Eyan drove down for a visit during the Memorial Day weekend.  We had a great time anchoring out and fishing.  We’re looking forward to spending a lot of time with our family when we return to Green Turtle Bay in a few weeks.

With the water temperature around 75 degrees, I opted for my wet suit to check out any growth on my bow thruster.

One of our projects while here, was installing a new motor for our dinghy.  Although the 15 hp Johnson we had ran great, it was a two cycle motor, not fuel efficient, and smelling 2 cycle exhaust was not pleasant.  Tohatsu, which makes most of the outboard motors under 20 hp for other brands, had a promotional offer thru May 31.  We purchased a 15hp, fuel injected, electric start outboard, with a five year warranty and free shipping to the Marina.  We sold the old motor on the local Craigslist a few days after listing it.

With the old motor removed, we were able to turn the dinghy over on the dock and remove the previous owners boat name from the bottom.  It was painted on pretty thick, plus the bottom hadn't been waxed since we've owned the boat.

We plan to arrive at Green Turtle Bay Marina around the third week in June.